Introduction:
As the landscape of emergency services evolves, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) are tasked with adopting cutting-edge technology to enhance their capabilities. During my tenure as VP of Global Operations at a public safety vendor, I have witnessed first hand how cloud-native technology offers a transformative solution, enabling PSAPs to streamline operations, improve responsiveness, and adapt to dynamic situations effectively. In this article, I explain how cloud-native solutions have helped revolutionize PSAP operations by focusing on fast, seamless deployment, remote integrations, minimal hardware requirements, configurable change requests, smooth cutover processes, and on-demand workstation provisioning.
Fast, Seamless Deployment:
Transitioning to cloud-native technology ensures rapid deployment with minimal disruption to PSAP operations. Unlike traditional on-premises solutions that require extensive setup and configuration, cloud-native deployments are straightforward and efficient. PSAPs can quickly implement cloud-native systems, allowing them to adapt to changing needs and scale resources as necessary. In the words of MACC 911 Director D.T. Donaldson, “Seconds matter when responding to emergencies. The technology that we now have with Carbyne APEX will improve safety and save lives because of our ability to answer priority calls, accurately and swiftly locate the people in need, and even view, through video, the situations that safety personnel are going to.”
Remote Installation and Testing:
The beauty of cloud-native technology lies in its ability to facilitate remote preparation, installations, and testing. As we experienced working with PSAPs, a significant portion of the work can be accomplished remotely, saving valuable time and resources for PSAPs. Remote installation and testing not only accelerate the implementation process but also reduce costs associated with onsite support and maintenance. Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office IT Director Kenny Matthews says “The biggest hesitation that I see, moving forward, is everyone is afraid of the cloud. But with Carbyne, the engineering behind this solution is so robust, we can have failures on multiple comms lines and still have multiple paths to the Internet.”
Minimal Hardware Requirements:
Cloud-native solutions eliminate the need for extensive hardware infrastructure at PSAPs. Minimal reliance on error-prone hardware is one of the strategic imperatives for a growing number of PSAPs With reduced back-office space and minimal hardware requirements, PSAPs can enjoy faster deployment, testing, and maintenance processes. Furthermore, the shift to cloud-native technology reduces the risk of hardware issues and proactive maintenance, ensuring uninterrupted emergency response services. MACC 911 Director D.T. Donaldson shares his experience with a minimal-hardware deployment: “As a communications center serving multiple agencies throughout Grant County, a long deployment would require more resources and attention that should be focused on other areas of emergency management. Because of Carbyne’s staff, who intimately understood our needs, we deployed the new capabilities in rapid time while also making sure our staff were comfortable with the new capabilities they now have at their fingertips.”
Configurable and Customizable Change Requests:
Cloud-native platforms offer configurable and customizable options, empowering PSAPs to accommodate customer change requests with ease. Through intuitive management portals like our Control Center and our connectivity vendors, PSAPs can swiftly implement customer-driven changes, ensuring flexibility and adaptability to evolving requirements. Furthermore, PSAPs are now able to leverage additional network alternatives to improve redundancy, all of which is done remotely. In the words of Guernsey County Sheriff’s Office IT Director Kenny Matthews, “Ohio does not yet have an ESInet, so we still are operating on traditional legacy CAMA trunks. But our new Carbyne system is performing flawlessly.”
Smooth Cutover Process:
The transition to cloud-native technology is supported by teams dedicated to ensuring a smooth cutover process. By flipping the switch to cloud-native systems, PSAPs gain access to enhanced redundancy, security, and auto-scaling capabilities. This was one of the key factors that some PSAPs have pointed out – that although they may not be a Tier-1 city, we helped them reap the benefits of technology enjoyed by much larger PSAPs. This flexibility helps ensure seamless operations even during peak call volumes or emergency situations, such as natural disasters.
On-Demand Workstation Provisioning:
Cloud-native technology enables PSAPs to spin off workstations on demand, providing remote access to critical systems from anywhere, including outside the PSAP. With minimal setup time and early preparation work required, responders can efficiently access cloud-based resources and collaborate effectively, enhancing emergency response capabilities. In the words of Guernsey County Sheriff Jefrey D. Padden, “We’re just a small-sized 9-1-1 office, with two dispatchers on at all times. We thought there was no way we were going to be able to adopt NG911 anytime soon. But I’m happy to say we’re one of the first counties in Ohio to have it, or maybe the first. I would like to see all counties have this system.”
Conclusion:
During my years in public safety I have witnessed the growing adoption of cloud-native technology which marks a significant milestone in the evolution of PSAP operations. By prioritizing fast, seamless deployment, remote integrations, minimal hardware requirements, configurable change requests, smooth cutover processes, and on-demand workstation provisioning, PSAPs can enhance their responsiveness and adaptability in the face of emergent situations. Embracing cloud-native solutions empowers PSAPs to deliver efficient and effective emergency response services, ultimately ensuring the safety and well-being of the communities they serve.